While Yum Brands (YUM) Taco Bell gets more attention for its seemingly endless menu drama, sister brand KFC actually sort of paved the way. It used gimmick products like the KFC Double Down, a sandwich that used chicken patties instead of buns, to get a lot of media attention.
In many ways, the chicken chain ushered in the current era of stunts that make people wonder whether the chain is serious. The KFC chicken-flavored lip balm is a key example of that where it was real, but it's hard to think the chain was doing anything more than trying to get media and social media attention.
Now, the fast food giant has another change planned and fans of the brand may not like it. KFC plans to remove a popular menu item in a test market in favor of another one that customers may not like as much.
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KFC Makes a Big Menu Change
KFC is making a switch and dropping its Popcorn Chicken from the menu in Charlotte, N.C., and replacing it with Chicken Nuggets to test customers' desire for the new item. The snack-size Popcorn Chicken menu item, which has been around since 1992, was dropped and brought back a couple of times.
An earlier version of this story contained information first reported by Fast Food Post, which KFC has disputed
KFC said it is testing nuggets in Charlotte and continuing to evaluate results and consumer feedback, according to a KFC spokesperson.
Popcorn Chicken has a lot of fans and there are some practical reasons why some people, especially parents, may like it. Kids have bite-size chicken and parents may not have to cut the Popcorn Chicken in half like they may do with a bigger Chicken Nugget.
KFC Menu Changes Continue
KFC, however, found a way to anger its customer base over in Australia. The Aussie KFC has the Zinger box, which has come with a Zinger burger, three wings, hot chips, potato with gravy plus a beverage.
"Since adding ‘Hot and Crispy’ to our permanent menu, we’ve put a new spin on our Zinger Box, offering it with two pieces of Hot and Crispy instead of three Wicked Wings,” per a spokesperson for KFC to News.com.au.
This change has sparked an outcry, and KFC responded, "But fear not, Zinger Box fans, you can still get your hands on the classic Zinger Box with three Wicked Wings if that’s the way you swing. Just ask our friendly team or update in the KFC App.”
Fast-food chains have been tweaking their meal deal and value menu offerings based on rising food costs. This has been common in the U.S. where multiple chains have tweaked prices and/or changed quantities of certain items in various deals.
